Tobacco stemming machine



Oct. l0, 1933. R. L. wElsNER 1,930,407

TOBACCO STEMMING MACHINE Filed July s, 1929 4 sheets-sheet 1 c. l0, 1933. R. L. WEISNER TOBACCO STEMMING MACHINE Filed July 9. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 10, 1933. R L, WELSNER 1,930,407

TOBACCO STEMMING MACHINE FiledJuly 9. 1929 4 Sheets--SheeiI 3 Oct. i0, E933. R. a.. WEISNER TOBACCO STEMMING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @l Je fii- Patented oct. 10, 1933 TOBACCO STEMMING MACHINE Robert L. WeisnenDurham, N. C., assigner, by

direct and mesne assignments, of one-half to v The American Tobacco Company, New York, N. Y., a corporationA ofv New Jersey, and onehalf tcComas Cigarette Machine Company, Roanoke, Va., a corporation of `Virginia ApplicationV July 9, 1929.

33 Claims.

My invention relatesto improvements'in tobacco stemming machines and has'for its principal object the production of a machine whereby all the lamina ofthe leaf maybe quicklyand efficiently stripped from the stem bysuccessive operations.

A primary feature of the invention` resides in providing the machine witha' plurality of means for successively stripping the lamina` of the leaf from the stem and with aplurality of means for gripping the stem to 'advance the leaves to the respective stripping means, each` 0f the gripping means being movable at' substantially right angles to the stripping means.

Another feature of the invention consists in interposing between the two stripping mechanisms means for straightening thevtobacco leaves,

the straightening means-being preferably movable in the same direction as the second stripping mechanism.

A further feature of the invention consists in associating with the firstk -stripping means a movable belt for supporting the leaves, the belt being preferably arranged to deliver the leaves to the straightening means:l`

A still further feature of theinventionconsists in providing a plurality of mechanisms for sucessively operating upon the tobacco leaf to strip the lamina thereof from its stem, each of said mechanisms involving an endless belt,'the belt of one stripping mechanismA being movable in a direction opposite that of the otherone.

A still further feature of the invention' resides in constructing each of the stripping mechanisms with a plurality of superposed endless belts, each of said belts having a member provided with a plate for cutting the lamina of the leaf and stripping it from the stem.

A still further feature of the invention consists in forming the device for stripping the lamina of the leaf from the stem with a stripping member and with means for freeing the lamina therefrom after it has been separated from' the stem'.

Other and more specific features of the invention residing in advantageous forms and combinations. and relations of parts will hereinafter appear and be pointed out inthe claimsiv In the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure l is-a side view ofthe stemming machine;

Figure 2 is a plane view of the machine.

Figure 3 is a view of the left-hand end of the machine as viewedl in' Figure 1.

Serial No.. 376,915

sectional view taken View partly in section of one of the stripping mechanisms.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the stripping devices. I

Figure '7 is a Vfragmentary elevational view showing the manner in which each vof the strip'- ping devices of the stripping mechanismsv cooperate with each other.`

In general the stemming machine comprises two stripping devices, one for stripping'the lamina of the leaf adjacent its butt, the other forstripping the remainder of the lamina from' the stem. EachA of the stripping'mechanisms broadly comprises two superposed belts each having cooperating devices for puncturing or cutting the lamina and stripping it from vthe ystem of the leaf.: 1 l

Associated with' each of the stripping'mecha'- nisms is a gripping device for advancing or feeding the leaf tothe mechanism and fori holding' the stem thereof while the lamina' isl being stripped therefrom. These gripping devicesgenerally comprise superposed endless chains which move'in a direction at substantially right angles to the direction of movement 'of' the stripping mechanisms. Combined with the initial or butt stripping and gripping' means is'an en'dlessfbeltl which moves with the same speedas 'the grip ping'means for supportingthe outer'end of the tobacco leaf. Interposed betweenthe two strip# ping' mechanisms is. another endless belt onto which the tobacco leaf is'fed after being operated on by the Vbutt strippingmechanisnrto straighten the leaf before being advanced to the nal or main `stripping mechanism.

Referring'more particularly to the drawings the initial or butt strippingv mechanism, 'generally designated by the reference numeral '1, involves upper and lower endless belts 2 and Eyrespectively. Each of the endless belts may'advantageously beA formed of a pair of sprocket chains 4 connected by flat bars or strips' 5. Each of the sprocket chains is supported by sprocket wheels 6 which are mounted upon suitably arranged shafts, motion being imparted to the beltsby the sprocket wheels cooperating with the sprocket chains. The shaft '7 for the outer end of the lower belt 3 is journaledr in bearings 8 mounted upon adjustable blocks`9 whichA are carried by angle brackets 10 rigidly secured -to uprights 11 of the frame A of the machine. The shaft. 12 for the inner end of the lower belt is also mounted in `bearings 13. and 14,the former being secured to the inner face of one of the upper transversely extending members of the frame A and the latter being secured to a transversely extending angle bar 15 or the like whichniay be secured tothe machine frame by any suitable means. In order to form a convenient support for the outer and inner shafts 16 and 17, respectively, of the upper belt 2 a pair of transversely extending inclined bars 18 are preferably provided, the bars being supported by'rods 19 which may be connected in any suitablemanner to the frame A. The upper ends of the upwardly projecting rods 19 are threaded to receive nuts 20 employed for adjustably supporting the bars 18 in the desired positon. The outer shaft 16 is journaled in bearings 21 secured to adjustable blocks 22 slidably mounted upon the upper face ofthe bars 18 while the inner shaft 17 is journaled in bearings 23 secured to the undersurface of the bars 18 substantially midway between their ends. The outer end of the bracket 10 and the outer end of the bars 18 are flanged downwardly as at 24 to respectively receive adjusting screws 25 threaded in lugs 26 preferably formed integral with the bearing blocks 9 and 22, respectively. Thus it will be seen that convenient means is employed for adjusting the tautness of the stripping belts 2 and 3 by moving the outer bearing blocks 9 and 22, the undersurfaces of which are grooved or channeled, as at 27 to respectively slidably cooperate with the members or brackets upon which they are mounted. Y

,The final or main stripping mechanism 28 comprises upper and lower endless belts 29 and 30, respectively, which are similar to the belts of the butt stripping'mechanism and corresponding parts of each have therefore been designated by the same reference numerals. The shaft 31 for the outer end of the lower belt is journaled in bearings 32 mounted upon an adjusting block 33 which is slidably connected with an angle bracket 34 secured to the outer side of the frame A. n The shaft 35 is mounted in journals 36 and 37, respectively, the former being secured to one of the transverse members 38 of the machine and the latter being connected to the inner side of onel of the end frame members of the machine. As with the shafts of the upper belt of the butting mechanism, the inner and outer shafts 39 and 40, respectively, of the nal stripping mechanism are supported by a pair of inclined transversely extending bars 41 supported by upwardly projecting rods 42 and 43, respectively. The rods 42 are connected to the angle brackets 34 while the rods 43 are connected to the frame on the opposite side of the machine. The upper ends of these rods are also threaded to receive nuts 44 for supporting the bars 41 in the desired position. The inner and outer shafts, 39 and 40, respectively, of the upper beltA are journaled in `bearings 45 and 46, the bearings 45 being directly connected to the underside ofthe bars 41, the bearing 46 being adjustably connected thereto through the intermediacy of a sliding block 47. Theadjust- J able bearing blocks 33 and 47 are adapted to be shifted in the same manner as the adjustable bearing blocks for the initial stripping mechanism.

Secured to each of the belts of both stripping mechanisms are a plurality of stripping devices or members 48. Any number of these stripping devices may be secured to the endless belt, the number employed being solely dependent upon the speed with which the leaves are fed to the stripping mechanism. The devices, are, of course, so arranged that those secured to one belt of one of the stripping mechanisms will respectively cooperate with those of the other belt of that stripping mechanism. Each device 48 may advantageously be formed with a base member or plate 49 having a plurality of apertures for receiving any suitable means to attach the plate to one of the strips 5 of the belt with which it is associated. The base plate is preferably formed with an upwardly projecting extension 50, the upper end of which is serrated so that it may bite or cut into the lamina of the leaf. The serrated portions of the cooperating stripping devices are adapted to overlap as clearly shown in Figure 7. The amount of overlap of the cooperating stripping devices is controlled by suitably spacing the upper and lower belts of each of the stripping mechanisms and when the cooperating devices are in operative association the amount of overlap between them should be such that the serrated portions thereof form a plurality of apertures Yor openings into any one of which the stem of the leaf being stripped is adapted to be disposed. Y

' Each stripping device is preferably provided with means for cleaning or freeing the lamina K,

therefrom after it has been stripped from the stem. In the present embodiment of the invention this means comprises a plate formed of a plurality of jointed or pivoted sections 5l andf Sil 52, respectivelyf The plate 51 is pivotally con- 1 nected to the base plate 49 by a hinge pintel 53. Coiled around the hinge pintel is a spring 54, one end of which overlappingly engages the upper face of the plate 51 and the opposite end of which engages the under face of the plate 49 so that these plates are normally maintained in contiguous relation. When the plates 49 and 5l are disposed in these .positions the plate 52 is adapted to lie in a plane substantially parallel with the upwardly projecting portion of the plate 49 and its upper edge is disposed below the serrated portion of the latter. Interposed between the plates 51 and 52 is a coiled spring 55 which normally tends to move the plates into alinement. This spring may be conveniently mounted upon a pin 56 or the like and the magnitude of the force exerted by this spring is of course less then that exerted by the coiled spring 54. Secured to the underside of the plate 51 and projecting through apertures 57 and 58 formed respectively in the base plate 49 and the strip or strips underlying the stripping device is a lug or dog 59. This latter member may advantageously be secured to the underface of the plate 51 by mounting over it on the outer face of the plate a block or member 69 and connecting these two parts by a plurality of screws or any other suitable means 61. Thus it will be seenthat the plate 51 is clamped between the dog or lug 59 and the block 60. Mounted upon the outer shafts of the upper and lower belts of each stripping mechanism is a cam collar or member 62 which is disposed in the path of travel of the lugs or dogs of the stripping devices. The collars are immovably maintained on their respective shafts byproviding each with an arm 63 adapted to be secured by a set screw 64 to a bracket 65 mounted upon an adjacent portion of the machine. This cam collar 62 1s so arranged that as the cooperating stripping devices start to move away from each other at the end of their stripping operation it causes the lugs 59 to move outwardly carrying with it, of course, the pivoted plate 51. As the coiled spring 55, as stated before, tends to move the jointed sections 51 and 52, into alinement the upper edge of the` latter moves along the inner face of the serrated portion of `the stripping member toward the outer end thereof thereby freeing from it the lamina of the stripped leaf which would otherwise cling to it. To prevent outward movement of the pivoted plate 51 before the cooperating stripping devices start to move away from each other each of the collars is formed with a fiat face or portion 66. .After the lugs 59 of the stripping devices pass from engagement with the cam collar 62 each of the devices assumes its normal position, as shown in Figure 6, due to the action of thecoiled spring 54.

Associated with each of the strippingfmechanisms is a device for feeding or advancing the tobacco leaves. Each of these devices may advantageously comprise superposed sprocket chains adapted to firmly grip the stem of the leaf to advance it to the associated stripping mechanisms and to prevent movement of the leaf in any direction other than that in which it is being advanced. The feeding device for the initial or butt stripping mechanism involves upper and lower gripping chains' 67 and k68, respectively, disposed immediately adjacent the inner end of that stripping mechanism. The lower chain 68 cooperates withsprocket wheels 69 keyed to outer and inner `shafts 70 and 7l, respectively. The outer shaft 70 is journaled in bearings 72 secured to adjustable blocks 73 slidably mounted upon angle brackets 74 rigidly secured to adjacent parts of the machine frame. The bearing blocks 73 are preferably U-shaped, being arranged to embrace the outer ends of the associated brackets 74. The U- shaped portion of each of the blocks is apertured to receive an adjusting screw 75 adapted to bear against the outer end of the bracket 74. By this means the gripping chain may be adjusted to the desired tautness. As with the outer shaft of the lower gripping chain the inner shaft thereof extends from one side of the machine to the other, being journaled in bearings 76 secured to the frame adjacent its opposite sides. The upper chain 67 of the initial gripping device cooperates with sprocket wheels 77 keyed to outer and inner shaftsV 78 and 79 respectively supported in bearings 80 mounted upon angle brackets 81 rigidly secured to neighboring parts of the machine. To insurethe chains gripping the stem of the tobacco leaf and to firmiy hold it while it is being operated uponby the stripper, plates 82 and 83 are arranged to respectively cooperate with those portions of thefupper and lower chain immediately adjacent the stripping mechanism. Plate 82 overlies the operating portion of the upper chain, being supported by brackets 84 secured to the underside of the transversely extending supporting bars 18 while plate 83 underlies the operating portion of the lower gripping chain being supported at oneend by a piate 85 secured to a longitudinally extending channel member 86 of the machine and at its other end by a bracket 87 secured to a transverse frame member of the machine. From the foregoing it will be perceived that plates 82 and 83 function to limit the distance between the operating portions of the chains.

To feed the leaf to the gripping device and to support it while it is being acted upon by the initial stripping mechanism a conveyor in the form of an endless belt 88 is preferably provided. The belt is co-extensive with and immediately adjacent to the lower gripping chain being mounted upon rollers89 secured to the Vshafts 70 and 71 upon which the chainis mounted. The tobacco leaves are deposited upon the conveyor belt 88 so that the gripping chains 67 and 68 will engage the butt end of the stem thereof inwardly of the point at .which the lamina branches therefrom so that the initial stripping. mechanism may'strip the lamina from the stem at the butt endy of the leaf; Although there is no especial virtue in making the lower gripping chain 68 longer than the upper gripping chain 67 this is done sothat `the lower one may be supported by the same shafts which support the conveyor belt 88. In order to supportthe butt end of the leaf before being gripped by the chains an auxiliary conveyor belt 90 is preferably employed, the belt being mounted upon rollers 91 and 92 respectively secured to shafts 70 and 93, the latter being carried by. a bracket 94 secured to the framel of the machine.

The gripping devices associated'with the' final stripping mechanism comprise upper and lower sprocket chains 95 and 96, respectively, which operate in a plane spacedv from andparallel to that in which chains 67 and 68 operate. At

their inner ends the upper and lower chains vcooperate with sprocket wheels 97 and 98, respectively keyed to shafts 79 and 71.V The outer ends of the upper and lower gripping `chains V95 and .96 respectively cooperate vwith sprockets 99 and 100 mounted upon shafts 101 and 102.l Shaft 101 is journaled in bearings 103 mounted upon brackets 104 secured to the machine frame while shaft 102is .journaled in bearings 105 mounted upon brackets 106 also secured to theframe. The operating portions of the upper and lower chains 95 and 96 have cooperating with them plates 107 and 108, respectively, to insure the chains gripping the leaf stems. kPlate 107 is supported by a bracket 109 secured to the web of the channel beam 86 while plate 108 may be .ff

conveniently supported by brackets 110 secured to the top flange of the channel beam.

The inner end of the gripping and feeding device for the final strippingmechanism is coaxial with the inner end of the gripping and feeding device for the initialstripping mechanism whereby as the leaf is leaving the last-named gripping device it is engaged by the first-named device. rThese two gripping devices are so spaced `from each other and so arranged with respect to .i

their vassociated stripping mechanismsv that the second feeding device grips that portion of the stem ofthe leaf from which the lamina has been stripped bythe first mechariism.4

'- Means is preferably interposed between the two stripping mechanisms for straightening the tobacco leaves after they have 'been operated upon 'by the initial'stripping mechanism.' This means preferably comprises an endless'belt '111 co-extensive with and movable in the same directior as the lower belt of the final stripping mechanism and the upper surface thereof is disposed in 'substantially the same plane as the upper surface of' the latter. The belt may advantageously be supported by rollers 112 mounted upon shafts 'i '31 and 35, respectively. This straightening belt 111 is so-arranged that the leaf will be delivered from the conveying belt 88 directly thereto; Thus it will be seen that since the operating portion of the belt 111 moves in a direction away from the gripping chains 95 and 96, which is the same direction in vwhich the operating portions of the stripping belts move, the tobacco leaf being operated upon will be straightened so that the stem thereof will be at substantially right angles to .the gripping chains thereby insuring proper coactionV between the stripping device and the leaf.

The entire machine may be operated from any convenient source of power such as an electric motor 113 which may if desired be supported by thevmachine frame as shown in Figure 3. This motor is adapted to actuate a main drive shaft 114 through the intermediacy of an endless chain 115 which cooperates with sprocket wheels 116 and 117 respectivelymounteduponthemotor shaft 118 and the drive shaftV 114. The main drive shaft preferably extends from 'one end of the machine to thev other and vmay be conveniently supported by bearings 119. VThe upper belt of the initial or butt stripping mechanism is driven from the main shaft 114 by an endless chain 120 cooperating with sprockets 121 and 122, respectively secured to the latter and Ytoshaft 16. The lower belt of. this stripping mechanism is preferably actuated by gears 123 respectively mounted upon shafts 16 and 7. In this manner it will, of course, be immediately perceived that the operating portions of these upper and lower stripping belts are caused to move in the same direction.

The final stripping mechanism is preferably driven off of a stub shaft 124the latter being Operated by an endless' chain 125 cooperating with sprocket Wheels 126 and127 respectively mounted upon the main drive shaft of the stub shaft. The stub shaft may be conveniently supported by bearings 128 secured to any convenient portions of the machine frame. The lower belt of the final stripping mechanism is operatively connected to the stub shaft 124 by an 'endless chain 129 cooperating with sprocket wheels 130 and 131 respectively secured on the stub shaft 124 and the outer shaft 31 of thel lower belt. The upper belt 29 of the nal strippingmechanism is driven from the shaft `31 through the intermediacy of gears 132 respectively secured to the latter and to the outer shaft 40 of the upper belt. From the operation of the mechanism thus far described it willLbe seen that the stripping devices of the butt stripping mechanism move in a direction opposite to that of the stripping devices of the final stripping mechanism.

Shaft 102 upon which sprocket 100 of the lower chain of the final gripping device is mountedis driven from an auxiliary shaft 133 through the intermediacy of gears 134 respectively keyed to `the two shafts. The shaft 133` which may be conveniently journaled in bearings 135 secured to the machine frame by brackets 135, is actuated bythe stub shaft 124 through aworm 137 and pinion 138 respectively mounted upon the latter and the shaft 133. The upper chain 95 of the second gripping mechanism is driven by gears 139 mounted upon shaft 102-and shaft 101, the latter being the one to which the sprocket 99 of the chain is-connected. g

Since the inner sprocket wheels of the upper Chains of each of the gripping devices are mounted on the same shaft and since the inner sprocket wheels of the lower chains are likewise mounted upon a common shaft kit will of course be appreciated that motion is transmitted to the first or initial gripping device by the second or final one. Due to the manner in which the conveyor belt 88 and the auxiliary belt 90 are mounted it will be readily perceived that motion is imparted to them by the initial grippingmechanism. The straightening belt 111, is, of course, actuated by the same mechanism that drives the lower belt of the final stripping mechanism.

In the operation of the machine the tobacco leaves are deposited upon the conveyor belt 88 at regular intervals of time so thatas the leaves are being advanced bythe gripping mechanism past the initial stripping mechanism the lamina of the leaves adjacent the butt end thereof will be stripped therefrom by Vthe cooperating stripping devices; From the first gripping mechanism the leaves are as heretofore described, delivered tothe second gripping mechanism, straightened by the b .t 111 and then operated upon by the second or final stripping mechanism. The stem of the leaf afterpassing from this last stripping mechanism is carried along vby the gripping device, the outer end thereof being supported by a suitable plate 140 and then dropped into a suitable receptacle not shown'. vHoppers or other suitable receiving lmeans (not shown) will; of course, be provided forreceiving the lamina as it is discharged from the respective stripping mechanisms; v

- From the foregoin r it will be perceived that I have provided a continuously operating machine which will emciently and effectively strip all of the lamina of the tobacco leaf from its stem.

I claim:

1. In a tobacco leaf stemmng machine, in combination, a plurality of` mechanisms for successsively stripping the lamina of the leaf fromthe stem, each of said mechanisms comprising apair of superposed endless belts respectively having cooperating stripping means movable longitudinally of thev tobacco stem, a plurality of means for the stem to respectively advance the leaf to the said stripping mechanisms, each of sa"d gripping means being movable at substantially richt an :esto the direction of movement of saidstripping means.

2. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, in combination, mechanism for initially stripping the lamina of the leaf from its stem adjacent the butt thereof, mechanism for stripping the remainder of the leaf lamina from the stem, said mechanisms being movable :'n opposite directions, and

4each having a motion of translation longitudinaliyofj the tobacco stein; a piurality of means for gripping the stem to advance the leaf to the respective stripping mechanisms, sad gripping means being movable at substantially right angles to the direction of movement of the stripping mechanisms, and an endlessbelt associated With said initial stripping mechanism for supporting Vthe said leaf during action thereon by said stripping mechanism, said belt being movable in the same direction as the said gripping means.

l 3. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, in cornbination,v means for stripping the lamina of the leaf from its stem vadjacent the butt thereof, a second means for stripping the remainder of the lamina from the stem, means for gripping the stem to advance the leaf to said stripping means, and means operatively interposed between said stripping means for straightening the leaf, said last named means being movable in the same direction as said second stripping means.

' 4. In a tobacco leaf stemming machine, in combination, means for stripping the lamina of the leaf from its stem adjacent its butt, means for stripping the remainder cf the lamina from the stem, a plurality Vof means for gripping said stem Ii'- to advance the leaf to the respective stripping means, movable means associated with the first stripping means for supporting the leaf during action thereon by said stripping means, and leaf straightening means positioned to receive the leaf from said movable.means andbeingmovable at substantially righty anglesto .the directionof;

movement of the latter; i l

ping. means forV straightening the leaf after the first stripping action andbefore being, advanced to the said stripper, vsaid endless belts beng mov-y ableiat'substantially right angles to each other.

6..In`a tobacco stemming .machine,fin combi,- nation, la pluralityof mechanismsior successivaY ly stripping thelamina .of the leafy from its stem,. eachcf said mechanismscomprising an endless..

belt having stripping means movableflongitudinallyof the tobaccostem; the belt-lof one stripper being movable in a direction oppositeto thatof the other, andmeanszfor grippingrthe leaf-to ad-r.

Vance it from one stripper tothe other;y

7. In a tobaccostemming machine in lcombination, a plurality kofr-mechanisn'is for successively strippingthe lamina-ofthe .leaf from itsstem, each ofsaid mechanisms comprising :an endless belt having ra strip/pingfmember` movable'xlongi' tudinally of the tobacco'stem, and, meansfor gripping the leaf to advance it from one belt to the other,= said b'elts` respectively extending at substantially' right angles to 4the gripping :means and projectingfromopposite sides thereof.

S. In a tobacco stemming machine, in combination, a plurality of means for successively stripping the lamina ofthe leaffromthe stem, eachof said means comprising` superposed endlessbeltse respectively. provided? with co-operating members engageableivith the lamina and mov-.`

the stripping means and-to'prevent movement of the leaf in the direction of movement of the strippersx 9. In a tobacco stemming-machine, in combi--v nation, a plurality of superposed endless beltl devices, each of said belts having a member co-V operablo with the member'of the associated belt for stripping the lamina of the leaf from itsy stem, said members having a movement of trans lation withV respect'to the leaf,y and means-for gripping the stem to advance the-leaf to each of said belt devices, saidgripping meansbeingmovable in a directionsubstantially normal'to'the direction of movementV of the stripping and serving to prevent the stem from moving in the'direction of movement of the strippers` 10. A tobacco stemming machine; having su perposed endless belts,each.of said belts having a member provided with a'plate movable longitudinally of the tobacco leaf; for4 cutting the lamina thereof and stripping it from its stem, each of said members having means for freeing the. lamina therefrom after thelatter has been separated from the stem.

l1. A tobacco stemming machine having Va device for stripping `the lamina of the leaf from the stem, said device .comprising a stripping member and a movable plate engageable With'thelatter to free the lamina therefrom after it has been separated from the stem.

l2. A device for stripping the lamina of a tobacco leaf from its stem comprising a stripping .baccoleafiifromits g stemncomprising `nation `withan end1ess;;belt,. 0f;- adevieearriedb the belt-for. stripping the lamine.:.Qfithexleaf from of theleaf from;its; Stemr:saidV device: Comprising; a Stripping member. anda plate-pivetally associate.

feedingy means arranged A adjacent to begint memhenf and.- -a ...pivotel` platee :said/ plate-f; beine adantedftonmovefalone one faeegofsaid memberto free.l the;A laminatnerefrom aftercit .1baS.r been.;-.;

13. A device for stripping the lamina1 of a tofV a; stripping..

Qintedbletee.- b eing;.; pivotally vq connectedto the said member and being adaptedato co-.operate utherevvitl 1;to free the v iamina ..tnerefrom after itilasebeen ...Senne rated fromfthe. steinggA 1 4. @In a tobacco:striepineimaehnettheeembif belt iorstripnns the.laminaetheleefifrem r i its stern-,seid deviceeomprisna a .s tripnins.m em' member -raiten ;the.;lamina-rhas lbeenfeparated-1r its stemgsaidpdevice.Comprising al Stripping-mem.

ber anda jointed plate pivotallyassociated with f said member, and .means ferfceilsins a.;r or t;0n;of:

i6.Y In .a .tobaccojstemminamaebme. theeornb' 1 nation with an endless.v belt; :oa v.device carried i011. :i

the. outer. side of the. beltfor; strippinsihelamina 1 tnerewith,:.said platephavina.abortion project. i1

` ien -thezfopposite l side.efsaid belt;v .andgmeansgdse saidstrippingmember afterthelamin ,hasfpeen 115 separated fromfA the f stem,;A able longitudinally of the stern,y and means for4 gripping'the stem to advance the'leaf-to each of l 17.-. rniatobaccnfstexnrning machina. a. i)eilnefrf.` endless` belts- 4 having.,I stripping fme,ans,eachstrip ping.;me ans .being shorter thang itsbelt; and lle ends of the belts, thelast namedmeanspompri ins. apair of endlessbeltsarranged in sunernese.

relation;

18. In a tobaccostemming machine,;a pair-, of., t endlessbelts provided withstripping means,each1 stripping:means being'shorter than its belt; means ,3; to drivethe belts so vthat theirfstripping'means aretbrought together, stern-butting` means, an d;

leaf. feedingmeans receiving the. leaves from ihe stemebuttingmeans andtransferring the same i to the` strippingfmeans. f

19,-; In atobacco. stemming machine, stem-butf tingmeansi'ncluding apair. of-.endless belts provided with strippingmeans,l each strippingmeansf..

being shorter than its belt for providingravacantj portion .upon suchf .belt', leaf. feedingmeans.v fbx- 4 up v ends, stripping. mechanism. arranged;- in c operative .relationto the .stem-butting means anda: including a pair. of endless.. belts. provided; with 1 tending. transversely vof the beltsnearytheinftakestripping' means, eachl vof the lastnamed means f being shorter :than its, belt .forfprovidingfa,vacant nally` of; :thefmajon portion `of l. the. lengthlof fthe 1150i;

direction 'of movement of said feeding means, 'and a plurality of pairs of devices for stripping the lamina; of the tobacco leaves from their stems, the devices of each pair being respectively mounted on said belts'and being'movable longitudinally of the leaves, each pair of devices being operable on a different leaf or group' of leaves.

22; In a tobacco stemming machine, in Vccmbination,`mechanism for stripping the lamin of tobacco leaves from their stems including an end- -less belt having a plurality of stripping devices movableV longitudinallyof the leaves, each of said devices being operable on a different leaf or group of leaves, and means for feeding the leaves continuously to said stripping devices transverse- -.-lyl of the direction of `movement of the latter, said feeding means being constructed and arranged to prevent;- lengthwise; movement of the leaves while being operated on by said devices.

23. In a tobacco stemming machine, means for continuously advancing a successionof leaves sidewise and for holding the leaves against lengthwise movement, and means at one side of the pathV Y of movement of the leaves `for stripping the membrane from the leaves during the movement thereof, said stripping means being mounted for stripping a movement in a straight line lengthwise ofthe leaves and throughout the major portion-of the lengths thereof, and means for cleaning the butts of the leaves.

.24. In a tobacco stemming machine, means for advancing a succession of leaves-sidewise and.

for holding the leaves against lengthwise movement, and means locatedat one side of the path of movementof the'leaves for stripping the mem- `brane from the leaves during their movement,

said stripping means comprising a plurality of spaced stripping devices each having-a movement lengthwise of the leaf stems and throughout th major portion of the length thereof. 25. In av tobacco stemming machine, the combination of a pair of superimposed endless devicesbetween which the leaves are fed, longitudinal blades carried by the endless devices, at least one of said devices having a blade with teeth along its'outer edge'for direct coacting relation with a blade of the other device to define openings for receiving the stems, andv means for moving the toothed edges of the cooperating blades longitudinally of the leaves to strip the membrane from the stems. Y

26. In atobaccostemming machine, the combination of a pair of superimposed vmovable endlessV devices'between which the leaves are fed, longitudinalblades carried by the endless devices, each Vof said devices having. a blade withequidistantly stems, and means for moving the toothed` edges of the cooperating blades longitudinally of the leaves.'

27. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combi- I nation of a pair of superimposed endless devices fbetw'e'en'whichthe leaves areV fed, longitudinal blades carried by the endless-devices, at least one' of said devices having a blade with teeth along its outer edge for direct coacting relation with` a' blade of the other device to denne openings for receiving the stems, the edges of which openings strip the membrane fromwthe stems, and means for varying the distance between the superimposed endless devices.

28. In a tobacco stemming machine, thecombination of a pair of superimposed movable endless devices between which the leaves are fed, longitudinal blades carried by the endless devices, each of said devices having a blade with equidistantly spaced teeth along its outer edge for direct coacting relation with a blade of the other device to denne openings for receiving the stems, the edges of which openings' strip the membranefrom the stems, and means for varying thedistance be- 30. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination of a pair of superimposed devices movable in an endless path and between which the leaves are fed, means for gripping and advancing the leaves between said devices, each of said devices having a blade with equidistantly spaced teeth of uniform sizes along its outer edge for overlapping coacting relation with the blade of the other device defining openings for receiving the stems, the edges of which openings strip the membrane from the stems, means for holding the stems against endwise movement during said stripping movement, and means for operating the devices to move the toothed blades along the stems.

31. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination of a pair of superimposed endless devices between which the leaves are fed, each of said devices having a longitudinal blade with teeth along its outer edge arranged to cooperate with -the blade of the other device and define openings for receiving the stems, the edges of which openings strip the membrane from Vthe stems, and

feeding means for the stems gripping the stemsv and holding the same vagainst endwise ment during said stripping action. K

32. In a tobacco stemming machine, leaf stripping means comprising'a pair of endless devices having spaced stripping elements, and means to drive thev endlessdevices so that their strippingV elements are brought together and moved lengthwise' ofthe leaf-stems throughout the major portion of the length thereof 33. In a tobacco stemming machine, leaf stripping means comprising a pair of endlessdevices having spaced stripping elements,'means to drive the endless devices so that their stripping elements are brought together, and means for supporting the Vendless devices for a stripping movement in a straight line throughout the major portion of the length of the stems.

ROBERT L. WEISNER. 

